Steam bath apparatus



March 20, 1962 K. E. HAIR 3,025,533

STEAM BATH APPARATUS Filed June l, 1959 wat,

INVENTOR KENNETH E. HAIR United States This invention relates to steam baths and it is more particularly concerned with apparatus for use by individuals in taking a steam bath.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of apparatus for providing steam in a conned space which can be fitted to a conventional bath tub or shower stall of the type found in many homes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus which comprises a novel form of steam generator.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a steam generator which is highly eiiicient, easy to use and which can be regulated to meet various requirements of the user.

These and still further objects of the invention, its advantages and features, will appear more fully from the following description considered together with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational View of an embodiment of the invention, partly broken away, attached to a conventional bath tub, the latter being shown in section.

FiG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper part of the embodiment bro-ken away from the remainder.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View on a larger scale of the steam generator and its bracket along the line 3-3 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a section along the line 4 4 of FIG. 3.

Referring with more particularity to the drawing in which like numerals designate like parts, the embodiment illustrated comprises a Vertical enclosure curtain formed by side panels 11, 12, 13, and 1-"4 of exible sheet material, such as a plastic sheet material, canvas, rubberized cloth, etc. These panels hang from a 'rectangular frame of wire or of any other suitable material. A top panel 16 of similar sheet material is also provided on the frame 15 and it has an opening r17 therein with an expansion slit 18 on one side for a person to put his head through and thereby keep it generally away from the steam in the space below.

The apparatus is adapted to be hung from an overhead support, such as a` ceiling hook 19, over a bath tub 20. Shroud cords 21, 22, 23 and 24 are connected to the corners of the frame 15 and to a common ring 25 for attachment to the hook 19.

One of the side panels of the enclosure curtain, say panel 14, is provided with `an opening 26 in which the forward and larger end of a -frusto-conical tubular member 27 is disposed, the smaller end being on the outside of the curtain wall where it is secured with rivets 28 to a clamping bracket 29 for attachment to the side 30 of the bath tub 201, for example, or any other convenient support.

The bracket 29 may be provided with ra vertical flange 31 for `attachment to the curtain panel 11 by means of rivets 32 or any other suitable means.

The tubular member 27 comprises an inner wall member 33 of steel, iron, aluminum, or other suitable rigid material, a middle layer 34 of a heat insulating material, such as foam glass or asbestos, and an outer covering 34A of a sheet material, to hold the insulation in place.

On the interior of the nozzle there is provided an ene larged portion 35 with a hollow interior and into which there is disposed an electrical heating element 36 through an opening 37 in the rear wall 38. An electrical cord 39 atent It fice leads to a convenient source of electrical current (not shown).

Above the portion 35, there is provided an opening 40 in the wall 33 to receive a spray nozzle 41 that is connected to a water hose 42. The nozzle 41 is preferably combined with an aerator 43 on the exterior.

The upper wall of the portion 35 is provided with longitudinal fins 45 facing the spray nozzle 41 and upon which spray water impinges in actual operation of the device.

To use the device, the electrical element is connected to the electric current source, such as an electrical outlet of a room, and the hose 42, is connected to a hot water faucet (not shown). When the heating element and the tins 45 have become sulliciently hot, to generate steam the faucet is turned on and the spray of water striking the tins is quickly converted to steam. The evolving steam passes outward through the larger end of the nozzle. It is apparent, of course, that the heating element must be of suilicient capacity to elevate the temperature of the fins 45 above the boiling point of water and to maintain it at such an elevated point as a desired volume of water spray continues to be impinged thereon from the nozzle 41. The rapid conversion of the water to steam is a feature of the invention as a result of the subdividing of the owing water before it strikes the heated zone, and also in the use of the iins to increase the eiiciency of heat transmission lfrom the heating element.

The aeration of the water spray also increases the rapidity of steam conversion. It furnishes a degree of heat insulation between subdivided parts of the water stream to reduce heat transmission among these subdivided parts and hence increases thermal efficiency.

To provide for diierent ow discharge streams, the member 27 is provided with a threaded portion 46 adjacent the discharge end to removably receive an end plate 47. This plate is provided with one or more openings 48 of a desired shape and size for the outward passage of the steam.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A continuous steam generator comprising a tubular member having a discharge end, means comprising a portion of the interior surface of the tubular member for heating the portion above the boiling point of water, a Water spray nozzle having a discharge opening directed toward said portion and discharge end, .means securing the nozzle to said tubular member, means for passing water through said nozzle against the portion, said inten'or portion being provided with tins extending generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tubularv member.

2. A continuous steam generator as defined by claim 1 and means for aerating water passing through the interior of said nozzle.

3. A continuous steam generator as defined by claim 1 and a plate disposed at the discharge end of the tubular member and means for attaching and detaching said plate to the tubular member, said plate having an outlet aperture for the escape of steam generated on the inside of the tubular member.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,694,858 Landon Dec. 11, 1928 1,705,776 Medart Mar. 19, 1929 2,284,414 Gammon May 26, 1942 2,303,465 Howard Dec. 1, 1942 2,311,899 Marlowe Feb. 23, 1943 2,426,939 Libman et al Sept. 2, 1947 2,756,439 Bollen Jul-y 31, 1956 2,858,547 Baumann Nov. 4, 1958 

